Ironically, one of the challenges comes when you “manage by walking around.”
With your wealth of experience, it’s easy to spot details that need attention.
Especially when you visit a job site and see workmanship that is below standards.
Do you give feedback on every detail out of place?
No one does it like you would! So when is good enough “good enough”?
This issue extends into managing the business itself.
Your managers will often handle things differently than you would.
- “That’s not what we agreed to.”
- “That is not how I used to do it.”
- “That approach is not hitting our goals”, at least it seems that way.
These frustrations surfaced during our recent Leader’s Edge peer group meeting.
It was held in Whistler, Canada with a local landscape contractor who showed us a fabulous time, in one the most beautiful areas on the continent.
Here is what we heard:
- One owner loves being out in the field but causes some chaos when he reports back on problems he observed.
- Another owner offers suggestions throughout the day but feels frustrated when they aren’t followed.
- A third owner experienced a mix of both scenarios.
Preference or Priority?
The solution can be straightforward.
When you offer suggestions or feedback, be clear about whether it’s a preference or a priority.
How to distinguish between the two:
Preference: is a desire or personal choice on how you would handle a situation. It is not mandatory or crucial.
Preferences are suggestions based on your personal likes and inclinations.
Priority: This is a task or directive that is of greater importance. A priority isn’t a suggestion—it’s a clear direction that needs to be followed.
Every time you provide feedback, clarify which of these two categories it falls under, so your team knows how to proceed.
Take a beat, and think before you speak.
Don’t overuse the “priority” label.
Most things should fall under “preference,” giving others the freedom to choose how they handle the situation.
Your job is to mentor, not to make decisions for them.
Your challenge: Train your Team to Keep you Accountable.
When you give them feedback and it’s unclear whether it’s a priority or a preference, have them ask you:
“Sorry boss, was that just your preference, or was that a priority?”
You get the picture.
Your job this week:
Reflect on your interactions with your team and see if you can better clarify how you communicate and give feedback.
Carpe diem!
Regards, Jeffrey Scott
P.S. The world is your oyster, but it’s lonely when you go it alone.
We can help clarify your vision, achieve the growth you desire, and build a better life for your family and your employees.
Just email me for more info.
It’s Q4 and we are now taking on new members to our our high-impact peer group for landscape business owners.
Photo Captions: From our visit in Whistler: Left, well signed yard, branded with company colors; these signs were everywhere. Very clear communication. Right, discussing the host’s 3 year org chart and plan for growth in a challenging market.
